I run a mid 90's rig consisting of a Krell KSA 300S, KRC2 preamp, KPE phono, Krell 250/2 CD player, Denon DP 47F turntable, and Thiel CS6 speakers. I also have a Teac X1000R-BL R2R and a Nakamichi 505 Cassette deck. I have relatively modern CD and SACD players plus a couple external DACS and a Hana cartridge but the core of my system has been the same for 30+ years. I bought the Thiel speakers a few years ago from an audio buddy (it was a perfect match for my Krell amp). Before that I was running Mirage M3si's.
I attended AXPONA in 2017 to see how great the new gear was. I expected to be blown away by the new stuff, especially the ultra expensive gear, but I was happily surprised. It turns out that my rig is competitive in SQ with pretty much all but the most expensive systems at the show. I remember listening to a particularly impressive sounding six-figure room featuring big YG speakers and thinking, "Gee, that sounds alot like my system." Many rooms had cables and cords that cost more than my entire rig but I would put my system up against them any day.
Three rooms stood out - the million dollar room featuring Von Schweikert Ultra 11 speakers and VAC electronics, the MBL room with 101 E Extreme speakers, and the Sonus Faber room featuring Aida II speakers and D'Agostino amplification. These three systems were a significant step above mine and if I had the money I would love to own them. There were a few other ultra expensive rooms that just didn't do it for me. I genuinely thought my system sounded better.
I feel very fortunate to have selected the gear that I've assembled. I'm in a position where I could afford to upgrade but without spending six figures+ I'm not sure I would be happy with the result. Many times when I listen to my system (especially on a good recording) and I hear something that I never noticed before, I sit there smiling and shaking my head because it sounds so good.
I attended AXPONA in 2017 to see how great the new gear was. I expected to be blown away by the new stuff, especially the ultra expensive gear, but I was happily surprised. It turns out that my rig is competitive in SQ with pretty much all but the most expensive systems at the show. I remember listening to a particularly impressive sounding six-figure room featuring big YG speakers and thinking, "Gee, that sounds alot like my system." Many rooms had cables and cords that cost more than my entire rig but I would put my system up against them any day.
Three rooms stood out - the million dollar room featuring Von Schweikert Ultra 11 speakers and VAC electronics, the MBL room with 101 E Extreme speakers, and the Sonus Faber room featuring Aida II speakers and D'Agostino amplification. These three systems were a significant step above mine and if I had the money I would love to own them. There were a few other ultra expensive rooms that just didn't do it for me. I genuinely thought my system sounded better.
I feel very fortunate to have selected the gear that I've assembled. I'm in a position where I could afford to upgrade but without spending six figures+ I'm not sure I would be happy with the result. Many times when I listen to my system (especially on a good recording) and I hear something that I never noticed before, I sit there smiling and shaking my head because it sounds so good.